



i'ki;.si;.\ii:i) ii>' 



A COMPLETE EEPOET 



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AmericaQ-RepuMican Lesislative Caucus 



IN NEWPORT. 



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From the Providence Daily Post, July 29, 1837. 






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PROVIDENCE 
SIDNEY S. RIDER 



1885. 



p. 

Publ. 
25 H '03 



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rf re ' f '»»•»•« • »•««« « 



The following burlesque political squib appeared in the Prov- 
idence Daily Post, July 29, 1857. The Post was the organ 
of the Democratic party in Rhode Island. Hence such a squib 
would naturally find a place in its columns. It was written by 
the late Henry B. Anthony, then editor of the Providence 
Daily Journal, the leading Republican paper in the State. 
Those who are familiar with the political history of the time will 
readily detect the severe satire, or the keen wit, which pervades 
it. To those who are unfamiliar with that history, annotations 
would be of little use. All notes are therefore omitted. The 
object of the publication is 

" To make Iiim laugh who never laughed before, 
While he who always laughed will laugh the more." 



AMERICAN-REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE 
CAUCUS IN NEWPORT. 



Never since the day when the good ship Argo cut 
her way through the dark Symplegades, did so 
goodly an assemblage stand upon one deck as that 
which weighed down the jPerry, when she started 
from the wharf at Providence, at precisely three 
o'clock, on the 25th day of May, a. d. 1857. For 
on that deck stood the selected wisdom and virtue ' 
and patriotism of the State of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations. Never before had the 
members of the General Assembly been chosen 
with such exclusive reference to high character, per- 
sonal qualification, experience in public affairs and 
legislative ability. It is not to be denied that good 
men have from time to time filled the Executive 
chair of Rhode Island. We have had a Ward, a 
Hopkins, and a Fenner, and in later years a Francis 
and a Jackson ; we never before had a Dyer. Tris- 



tarn Barges, and John Whipple, and John H. Chirkc, 
and Edward Carrington, and George Curtis, have, 
with such manner of al)ilitv as was allotted to them, 
represented the town of Providence. But it was 
reserved for our day to produce an Oliver Johnson, 
a Preston Bennet, and ^'Time's noblest offspring, 
and its last," an Ansel E. Bradley. A large con- 
course of people, consisting mainly of those useful 
and patriotic classes of the community, hackmen, 
porters, and policemen, gathered on the wharf to 
bid Godspeed to the floating greatness of the State ; 
and others still more daring, chiefly candidates for 
legislative favor, fearlessly braved all the perils of 
the deep, and accompanied them all the way to 
Newport. 

Among the distinguished personages who wxre 
standing on the wharf, we noticed the editor of the 
Providence Journal, supported on one side by the 
Hon. A. C. Barstow, on the other, by the Hon. 
Thomas AVhipplc, waving his tearful adieus to Albert 
Sanford and Ansel E. Bradley. Rowland G. Haz- 
ard, late a delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention, and William E. Richmond, President of 
the Citizens' Meeting at Howard Hall, lent their 



countenances to the occasion. No convulsion of 
nature, no visible sign of the great event signalized 
the departure. A slight depression of the boat was 
noticed when Mr. Bradley stepped on board, as 
though she gracefully bowed to the embodied great- 
ness of the Seventh Ward, and a scarce audible 
grunt escaped, but whether from the engine or the 
representative was not precisely apparent. As the 
boat rapidly descended the bay, the flags on both 
the clam houses were gaily displayed, and several 
men who were ducking in the river discharged their 
guns, as much in honor of the General Assembly 
as in hope of knocking over a brant. 

While the members broke into groups discoursing 
with each other the momentous questions that were 
to be presented for their consideration at Newport, 
or condescendingly accepting the congratulations, 
and returning the greetings of their grateful consti- 
tuents who crowded around them, one man remained 
apart ; it was the member from Smithfield ; " severe 
in youthful beauty" he paced the deck alone. 
Althouo-h neither he nor his friends had suggested 
it, although with the instinctive modesty of true 
o-reatness, he had shrunk from the honor that an 



8 

admiring people were pressing upon him, yet it was 
impossible to doul)t that the Speaker's chair awaited 
him ; it would have l)een alfectation in him to ques- 
tion that the whole State was eagerly looking for his 
elevation, and waiting, with an impatience that 
could not be concealed, that eloquent speech in 
which he hurled defiance at a miserable and corrupt 
judiciary, and taught the Supreme Court of the 
United States that there was no such a man as Sul- 
livan Ballou. He was then meditating that great 
speech; its burning periods, its Hashes of poetry, 
its scorching invectives, were then passing through 
his mighty brain, which could scarce contain the 
great thouo-hts with which it was swelling. In vain 
for him the boat spread out those attractions usually 
provided for an intelligent and refined people at 
election, in vain for him the dice rattled in the for- 
ward cabin, in vain rose to his ears the wild and 
plaintive songs of the banjo man, who continually 
informed his audience that he 

" Bet his money on de bob tail mare, 
Does anjbodv bet on the bay?" 

And even when a small boy came around with a 
plate to collect the grateful coppers, with which 



9 

those sweet sounds were rewarded, he waved him 
off with a dignified gesture, and referred him to the 
future Chairman of the Committee on Finance, who 
was attentively reading the first volume of "Por- 
traits and Memoirs of Distinguished Americans." 
Far other thoughts than any that related to the "bob 
tailed mare " absorbed the Demosthenes of Smith- 
field. He knew that Woonsocket was watching 
him; he kncAV what Council No. 10 of Smithfield 
expected of him. Suddenly he stopped for one 
moment ; he held 

" His arm 
Aloft extended like eternal Jove, 
When guilt brings down the thunder." 

With his other hand he beckoned to Mr. Bradley. 
The member from the Seventh Ward thrust into his 
pocket the cake of gingerbread that he was eating, 
and in an instant stood by the side of the Speaker. 
"Ansel," said he, in a voice of terrible calmness, 
" shall I give it to them ? " In the excitement of 
the moment he forgot that he had not communicated 
to the member from the Seventh the subject of his 
meditations. But it was not necessary. Genius 
communes with genius with electric rapidity, and 



10 

the quick perception of Ansel yaw wliat was pa^s- 
inof in the mind of Sullivan, lie knew that it was 
the Supreme Court ; and he knew, too, that the fate 
of that tribunal hung upon his answer ; for a mo- 
ment mercy struggled with justice in his generous 
bosom ; he knew the}^ deserved it, but he knew they 
could not bear it ; Taney was old ; the other mem- 
bers of the Court had some reputation, should he 
suffer his youthful friend to annihilate them ? 

As the two stood together they presented a group 
for a painter, and it was regretted that at least a 
daguerreotypist had not been on l)oard. Ballou 
stood with his arm extended as w^e have described ; 
Bradley stood in his customary attitude Avhen on- 
gaged in deep reflection, his head a little bent for- 
ward, his eye expanded, and the ends of his lingers 
passing slowly backwards and forwards over that 
voluminous part of his person where his brains are 
supposed to lie. Justice triumphed. He said, 
" AVhy, Sul., they don't deserve no better." From 
that moment the fate of the Court Avas sealed. The 
Speaker's speech was iinished ; everything was dis- 
posed of — the American Eagle, Roger Williams, 
Dred Scott. The boat touched the wharf. A line 



11 

of carrriages was drawn up at the landing. An 
enthusiastic crowd of hackmen pressed their services 
upon the passengers. Every kind of conveyance 
was proffered to them with an eagerness which 
showed how deep was the impression they had made 
upon the public mind. One gentleman from Coven- 
try was so beset with his own doubts and the con- 
flicting claims of the applicants, that he went to 
two places in exactly opposite directions at the same 
time, an operation which, however difficult and 
remarkable, his previous training had fitted him for. 
As the long line of carriages moved ofi" in proces- 
sion, Mr. Ballou called from the window to remind 
the members of the caucus that had been notified at 
eio:ht o'clock in the evenino^. 

The appointed hour in the evening having arrived 
and the party having now assembled in full caucus, 
the first duty which devolved upon them was the 
election of chairman. 

The Hon. Preston Bennet arose with nervous 
activity and said that he should nominate for that 
high post his friend and fellow laborer in the Lord's 
vineyard, the Hon. Ansel E. Bradley, of Provi- 
dence. It was hardly necessary to dwell upon his 



12 

merits ; any one could see at a glance that nature 
had fashioned him to till the chair, and that even 
intellectually he was as well qualified as most of the 
members present. But ^Nlr. l>ennet had another and 
a higher object in view in this proceeding. He 
wished the party to understand that himself and his 
Honorable associate represented in this General 
Assembly the friends of ultra temperance and of 
general but not disinterested godliness. The leader 
of their select association was now at home. He 
was devoting his energies and his genius at present 
to the manufacture of patent metallic coffins, which 
he hoped soon to bring to such a state of perfection 
that he might bury in comfort and security all the 
sinners in Rhode Island, who consisted mainlv of 
those unregenerate souls who had suspicions that 
he, Barstow, was not entirely the just man made 
perfect, though it was acknowledged even by his 
enemies that he had played upon a harp of a thou- 
sand strings. Mr. Bennet further stated that he 
lamented, as did all the saints, that just now the 
great Barstow was rather under a cloud ; that his 
fellow citizens, the better they became acquainted 
with him, l)eiian to feel about as much contidcnce in 



13 

him when he was purchasing property for himself 
as when he was buying it for other people. Still 
there was no doubt but that the City Hall matter 
was merely temporary, that part of the blame he 
had already transferred to other people, and the rest 
would soon blow over. And he would boldly state 
that as soon as his pious and godly brother could 
read that title clear, he w^ould emerge into greater 
favor and popularity than ever. Mr. Bennet said 
that it was their design so to harmonize and manage 
the party, that when they delivered it over into the 
hands of the immaculate Barstow, at his political 
resurrection, it would be all prepared for the great 
work of advancing him to, at least, temporal glory. 
Mr. Oliver Johnson, of Providence, desired to 
know if the «:entleman nominated was a free and 
accepted mason, for though he was associated with 
the same devout political section as the Rev. (he 
begged his pardon, the Hon.) gentleman who had 
preceded him, and was willing to go Avith them to 
almost any extent, yet it was well known to his 
friends and the public generally, that he could not 
conscientiously do anything which would imperil his 
own private advancement. That certainly he had no 



14 

objection to ]Mr. Bnullcy ; on the contrary, he sym- 
pathized with him and his distinguished master. That 
they always had hung together, and if each had his 
deserts they always should hang together, and from 
the same platform. 

Mr. J. said that if the desired o1)jects could be 
accomplished without detriment to himself, Ihey 
should have his hearty co-operation. But that he 
was a mason, a free and accepted mason, in fact, 
he would state to the caucus confidentially that he 
was an eminent officer of that glorious society. He 
would further say that he had certain private expec- 
tations from a leading brother with whom he had 
that day exchanged the fraternal grip, and if those 
expectations wxre not interfered with by the arrange- 
ments alluded to, they had his concurrence. Those 
high hopes were connected with the speakership and 
the committee on corporations. Mr. Johnson here 
exchanged secret sisfus with Mr. Ballou.the member 
from Smithfield, and proceeded to say that as he saw 
nothing in the proposed movement adverse to his 
interests, he felt morally bound to give the nominee 
his support and his vote. 

Mr. Howard, of Coventry, desired to explain his 



15 

mind to the caucus. Mr. H. said it had been wisely 
remarked by an ancient philosopher that there were 
two sides to every question. That he had, after 
much deliberation, concluded to act with impartiality 
in his course as a statesman; he always should be, 
as he always had been, upon both sides. His ex- 
perience so far had satisfied him that this was the 
true policy, and he was free to say that he had suc- 
ceeded so well in this line of conduct, that if any 
member could show him a third side to any of the 
issues upon which they might be called to act, he 
should feel under great obligations to such member, 
and that he should be upon that side also. He 
believed the golden rule was to agree with every- 
body about everything. That he always, by this 
judicious course, obtained several small offices, and 
had his eye on several others. Not that he was 
avaricious of fame ; on the contrary, he had on a 
recent occasion magnanimously oifered to a rival 
candidate for a snug little appointment the high 
honor of carrying the electoral vote to the city of 
Washington, if he would only give him the emolu- 
ment. Mr. H. said he had not heard enouoh of the 
views of members to decide how he should act. He 



16 

hoped lliere would be a geneml expression of senti- 
ment, wliieli, when he had listened to, he should 
cheerfully cnst his vote with the majority. 

As the remarks of the orators seemed to meet the 
approbation of the meeting, and no other gentleman 
was prepared to speak upon the subject, the vote 
was put, and the Hon. Ansel E. Bradley was elected 
without a struggle and with scarcely a groan. Upon 
being conducted to the chair, the Hon. Ansel but- 
toned up his coat, pulled up his inexpressibles, and 
addressed the caucus as follows : 

Fellow Representatives^ American- Bepuhlicans^ and Repuhli- 
can- Americans : 

I am deeply obligated to you, one and all, for the appoint- 
ment to this important position. I own up that I am not void 
of ambition, and am gratified some at this election. I did 
think at one time that my genius lay in the military line. I 
fancied that I should look uncommon handsome in uniform 
and on horseback. But his Excellency Governor Hoppin, 
though urgently requested both by me and my bosom friend 
8anford, neglected to appoint me one of his aids. Since 
then I haven't thought so much of the military, but have 
turned my attention exclusively to statesmansliip ; the result 
you behold before you. I am now prouder at filling this 
chair than I should be to wear half a dozen uniforms. 



17 

though each of them were scarlet and gold, I have been 
elevated, gentlemen, to the office of -ReiDresentative of the 
Republican- Americans of the city of Providence, a most 
intelligent constituency. And this, gentlemen, they did of 
their own free choice, assisted by my friends, the Hon. A. 
C. Barstow and Albert Sanford, Esq. I have been pro- 
moted in the same manner, gentlemen, (to speak metaphori- 
cally) as the kangaroo leaps the widest ditches, by means of 
his tail — alone — assisted by his hind legs. The ex-Mayor 
has not been quite so open in his demonstrations as the noble 
Sanford, but in his sly way he has boosted me first rate. 
Though I think much of Sanford, I think more of Barstow ; 
not that I love Ctesar less, but I love Rome more. I owe 
him a heap of gratitude, (here the orator appeared much 
affected, his feelings were evidently too many for him. After 
a short struggle between his sensibilities and his pocket 
handkerchief he proceeded.) He is an extended individual, 
gentlemen, and no man sympathizes more deeply with the 
poor slave than Barstow. Though he has a white face he 
has a black heart. (Here the speaker was interrupted by 
loud and repeated cheers.) I mean, of course, a heart that 
feels for the down-trodden colored folks, and my highest 
ambition is that I may live to be buried in one of his patent 
metallic coffins of the largest size. 

Gentlemen, I feel that I am not qualified for this high 
office. You all feel it, and the better you know me, the 



18 

Diorc you will loel it. But my talents, such as they are, are 
at your service for this or any other ofRce. Trusting to 
your forbearance, I hope to perform my duties to our mutual 
satisfaction. Wishing you, gentlemen, a safe return to your 
families, I tender you my warmest thanks for the great com- 
pliment which you have bestowed upon my character and 
ability. 

Here the Chainnan gracefully dropping into his 
seat, informed the meeting that the next business in 
order was the election of a Secretary, and he sug- 
gested that he should consider it a personal compli- 
ment if his young friend, Albert Sanford, Esq., 
should be invited to act in that capacity. 

Mr. Sanford was elected by acclamation. 

Mr. Sanford returned thanks for his election, and 
said that he w as naturally of a modest and retiring 
disposition, and disliked the strife which prevailed 
in the busy haunts of men ; that if he had a weak- 
ness it was his love of peace and quiet. He some- 
times thought he was a natural Quaker, and if any 
irentleman in that caucus or out of it denied his 
statements, he'd lick him, and he was free to confess 
that Avhen his principles w^ere attacked he sometimes 
felt as if he was a cross between the harmonious 



19 

reptiles and the Plug Uglies. He had always lived 
in an atmosphere of repose, and had now reached a 
haven of rest in the peaceful Seventh Ward of the 
city of Providence, where lions and lambs lied 
together, and babes of grace led them ; that he 
occasionally attended political meetings, but always 
with reluctance and simply to aid in preserving that 
harmony which Christian men should cultivate in 
their intercourse Avith one another. But he had no 
personal ends to advance in accepting the ofSce to 
which he was elected. That he was influenced solely 
by patriotism, and he thought he could honestly say 
that he had always acted with a single eye to the 
public good. He said that they had a lively time at 
the last election in Providence, or as Brother Bar- 
stow expressed it, a refreshing season. That him- 
self and Ansel had been bosom friends from the 
cradle. They had grown in beauty side by side, and 
he had made up his mind to stand by Ansel to the 
death. He had not expected this appointment. He 
had come down for another purpose, which was to 
head ofi" Wheaton, the aristocrat from the Second 
Ward of the city of Providence, who lived in a brick 
house, and wore a clean shirt every day. That he 



20 



tlioimht Ansel and himself had arrancred that little 
matter with the Speaker that was to be, not that 
they thought much of the gentleman from Smith field 
for a Speaker, though he was born in freedom's eagle 
nest and rocked by the whirlwinds in their rage. 
But that it was necessary to make a tool of some- 
body, and they had selected him as the most Avilling 
instrument. lie was happy to add that the trade 
was consummated, and he thought they had managed 
pretty slick. And now he really hoped that every- 
thing would go on peaceably and quietly in the good 
old way. As no one in the caucus seemed willing 
to tread on the gentleman's coat tail, he squared 
himself to the performance of his duties. 

The chairman then informed the meeting that they 
would next proceed to the most important business 
of the evening, which was, to select a candidate for 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. Gentle- 
men would please to nominate. 

At this announcement the eyes of the whole cau- 
cus Avere turned as if by magic, or prompted by some 
preconcerted arrangement, to the member from 
Scituate, the Hon. Isaac Saunders. Mr. S. rose 
majestically from his seat and stood grand, l)land 



21 

and peculiar, wrapt in the solitude of his own origi- 
nality. He seemed conscious of the arduous duty 
which he was expected to perform, and he appeared 
determined to do it though he collapsed a flue in the 
eftbrt. Mr. S. proceeded to say that the selection 
of a Speaker was a task of no ordinary magnitude. 
That he had been requested by a number of mem- 
bers, principally from the rural districts, to make 
and advocate a nomination. That several names had 
been suggested for that responsible office, but that 
one name which had been suggested by the gentle- 
man himself, he thought most favorably of. He had 
no doubt that any nomination made by him would 
be received with great consideration. Perhaps the 
fact that of all the sons of Rhode Island, he alone 
had been deemed worthy of a place in that great 
work called "Portraits and Memoirs of Eminent 
Americans," accounted for that consideration. He 
could cheerfully recommend that book to the perusal 
of his fellow citizens, though modesty forbade any 
allusion to the slight biographical sketch of himself 
contained therein, and written at his request by a 
Reverend friend for a moderate compensation. There 
they might see what large oaks from little acorns 



22 



grow. He had stilted that one gentleman had sug- 
gested his own name for Speaker. He should more 
properl}' have said that the llonoral)le member from 
Smithtiekl and himself had interchanged sentiments 
upon the important topics of the day. In other 
words, he is to be Speaker, and I am to be Chairman 
of the Committee on Finance. I think I may say, 
gentlemen, without vanity, that my distinguished 
career has peculiarly fitted me to deal with the sub- 
ject of finance. — From the time when, at eleven 
years of age, I exchanged science for candy, and 
fell down the college stairs to the unmanly glee of 
the students of that aristocratic institution, to the 
time of my election to the Presidency of the Citizens 
Union Bank, finance has been my study. No boy 
could more skillfully make change than the indivi- 
dual who now addresses you, as in the streets and 
lanes of the wicked city he disposed of his twisted 
treasure. No man can more skillfully extract from 
the purse proud aristocrats of the Second ^Vard the 
means of carrying aged and infirm voters to the polls 
at the annual election. No man can forget it sooner 
after the election is over. True genius alone can 
use such instruments for its own elevation, and when 



23 

it has attained that elevation it then " unto the ladder 
turns its back, scorning the base degrees hy which 
it did ascend." 

It is time, gentlemen, that the intelligence of the 
country should rule the atliiirs of the State, and the 
insolence of the city be trampled under foot. When 
I say the city I do not mean to include the Seventh 
Ward of Providence, for that lies contagious to the 
country, and they have sent us a Representative of 
whom even Nooseneck Hill might be proud. Gen- 
tlemen, 1 will not trespass longer upon your time. 
Allow me to nominate as the candidate of this party 
for the Speakership of the House of Representatives, 
the Hon. Sullivan Ballou, of Smithfield. 

Here the member from Block Island, in a state of 
tremendous excitement, rose to a question of privi- 
lege. He said that it w^as perfectly apparent (so 
plain that they who run might read) from the whole 
proceeding of the caucus, that there had been a vast 
deal of trading between certain hioh contractins; 
parties. He had no doubt that some valuable con- 
sideration had passed between them, but he solemnly 
declared on his honor as a Block Islander that not a 
syllable had been breathed to him before the meet- 



24 

ijig. lie could not say how it was with A\'est Green- 
wich, but none of the gentlemen interested had 
offered to Block Island the poor compliment of a 
single dollar. As some member might consider it 
undignitied for a member of the Legislature to carry 
round his hat at a caucus, he felt it to be at least his 
duty to record his serious protest against all such 
proceedings. 

Notwithstanding this untimely interruption, which 
was not provided for in the bill, the vote was de- 
manded and Ballon was enthusiastically elected. 

After profound silence for some moments, the 
Speaker elect rose to the floor, and in spirit-stirring 
tones addressed the cancus as follows : 

At this point the proceedings were interrupted 
by a seeming scuflle at the door, accompanied by 
the falling of a heavy l)ody and the rattling of 
metal. Sereral gentlemen hastened to the door, on 
opening which they discovered the venerable Vice 
Consul of the French Empire in full official cos- 
tume, lie was just rising from the floor, his fall 
having been occasioned by stumbling over a young 
man by the name of Fairbanks, who with a zeal in 
the pursuit of knowledge under difficulties which 



25 

promises to conduct him to the most exalted posi- 
tion in the Republican party, was standing with his 
ear to the keyhole, listening to the proceedings. 
He was so attentively engaged in that praiseworthy 
duty that he did not observe the approach of the 
Vice Consul. He apologized, however, in the most 
handsome manner, and with that modesty which 
always accompanies true merit, disclaimed his real 
object, and said that he was looking for a penknife 
that he dropped somewhere in the State House the 
day before. 

As the Vice Consul entered the hall, the members 
received him standing, all except the Hon. O. John- 
son, who was asleep, and the Hon. Ansel E. Brad- 
ley, who had disposed himself in such manner, sit- 
ting on one seat and his feet elevated high upon the 
back of another, that he could not bring himself to 
a perpendicular till the gallant Frenchman had made 
a graceful salaam to the chair, and had already com- 
menced opening his grand " Rhode Island and Med- 
iterranean Atlantic Steamship Navigation and Iron 
Company's Bank." 

In the course of his speech the Doctor was inter- 
rupted by Mr. Johnson, who wished an explanation 



20 

on a single point ; he desired to know if there was 
to be any distinction of color recognized in the man- 
agement of these steamships. If these floating pal- 
aces were to be employed in perpetuating the absurd 
and unnatural distinctions of race and color, he for 
one would rather sacrifice all the advantasres that 
they are calculated to confer upon the State, rather 
than to add anything to the absurd prejudices which 
separate us from those who are men and brethren. 

Mr. Bennet also inquired what were to be the 
regulations as to spirituous liquors and tobacco. He 
had heard, though he was unwilling to believe it, 
that both the English and American steamships sup- 
plied wines and liquors to their passengers. He 
thought that this ftict, if proved, was sufficient to 
justify the instant repeal of the charter of the com- 
panies, and he should bring the subject before the 
General Assembly on the first day of the session. 

The explanations of the Doctor were satisfactory 
on both points. The first class staterooms would 
be reserved for our colored fellow citizens, and it 
was the express command of His Majesty, the Em- 
peror, that no wines, liquors or tobacco should be 
introduced on board the ships. In reply to an 



27 

inquiry from Mr. Bradley, the Vice Consul gave 

assurance that in case these ships should come to 

Providence, they would invariably land on the West 

Side. This was received with manifest sisrns of 
approbation, in the midst of which the Vice Consul 

gathered up his maps and papers and retired grace- 
fully from the hall, whereupon Mr. Ballou here 
rose and said : 

I am profoiiiidly impressed with the honor which this Con- 
vention have now conferred upon me. To ascend thus rap- 
idly to the summit of renown was as unexpected as it is 

agreeable. It is true that I have not hitherto been unvis- 
ited by tokens of public favor. In many a factory village, 

after the noise of spindles was hushed, and all nature was 

bathed in the gentle yet melancholy radiance of moonlight, 

have young men and maidens visited the public hall to listen 

to my lectures upon Shakspeare and Esthetics — and it is 

not unknown to you that during the last autumn, surrounded 

by the fading memorials of the dying year and depressed by 

the consciousness of a sinking cause, I lifted up my voice in 

hut and hamlet for freedom and Fremont — until gaping 

school-boys wondered as they gazed, and sentimental girls 

threw bunches of dahlias upon tlie platform. 

Little did I think that these humble beginnings were to be 

followed up by a sudden advancement in public life, unpar- 



28 

alk'led .since tlie younger Pitt was Prime INIinistcr of Eng- 
land at twenty-three. But I mean to rise and be equal to 
the occasion. I will not allect a modesty wliich I do not 
feel. Uoni in the wilds of Smithlield, cradled in the eagle 
nest of Woonsocket, I stand before you this day a man 
whose capacities for public service have not lost their fire by 
"working the treadmill of experience, whose soul in the cause 
of freedom is unalloyed by the base metal of knowledge, 
and wliose confidence in himself has never been disturbed 
by contact with men older or wiser than himself. No, fel- 
low-members ; I will not prove unworthy of your clioice. 
I am exalted now, but in the beautiful language of the Latin 
poet — P^xcelsior. 

Here Mr. Bnidley asked an explanation. 

Mr. Ballou explained to the member from the 

Seventh Ward that the idea which he meant to con- 
vey was, that " more higher" was his motto. 

.Mr. Bradley was heard to whisper that he did not 
know about that — some other folks would like to 
have a chance. It is quite evident that Mr. Bradley 
understood Mr. Ballou to express an intention of 
going to Congress, which he well knew would inter- 
fere with a cherished project of his friend now in the 
metallic coffin line. 



29 

Mr. Ballou proceeded — 

We are entering upon important duties. To quote the 
beautiful expression of Homer — 

" We live amidst the wreck of matter and the crash of worlds." 

Council fires have gone out. North and South are in 
collision. Americans and Republicans are mingled to- 
gether, and alas, contending with each other — while the 
Devil, Slavery and Buchanan are riding rough shod over the 
prostrate and bleeding form of freedom. In such an hour 
as this, may I not exclaim in the sublime language of Mil- 
ton — 

*' See approach proud Edward's power, 
Edward, chains and slavery! " 

But there is one subject to which I feel it to be my duty 
to call your attention. It is directly in the line of your duty 
as members of the Legislature, and falls peculiarly within 
my province as Speaker. You cannot fail to perceive that I 
allude to the late atrocious decision of the Supreme Court in 
the case of Dred Scott. As a man I abhor that decision, 
as a lawyer I spit upon it, and as a politician I intend to 
make a noise about it, and if the cares of public life should 
ever leave me a few days of leisure I intend to read it. 

Fellow citizens, has it come to this, that the men who 
have been appointed under the constitution to interpret that 
instrument, can determine who are and who are not citizens 



• 30 

of tlic Unitctl States without consulting the Americcan-TJcpub- 
lidan party? I tell you, fellow citizens, tlic spirit of free- 
dom is abroad in Rhode Island, and her beacon fires are 
lighted on every high-place, from Louse-Hill to the shore. 
Then the black and lowering cloud of human bondage arose 
over the rice-swamps and cane-ficlds and cotton plantations 
of the God-forsaken South, and moved slowly northward 
and hung over Newport harbor. Then the spirit of Roger 
"Williams and Liberty, one and indivisible, arose and called 
for her favorite sons. She ascended the valley of the Paw- 
tuxet and found thy noble breast, young gallant Howard, 
ready to face the enemy from all points of the compass at 
the same time. 

Passing through Scituate, she stirred within the soul of 
Saunders the noble ambition of adding another volume to 
the lives of distinguished Americans, published by John 
Livingston, Esq., at one dollar per copy. It may not 
become me to tell with what success she visited the eyrie of 
Woonsocket, and caused the young eaglets of freedom in 
that highly favored spot to plume their wings for a nobler 
quarry and a sublimer flight. Descending the valley of the 
Blackstone and entering the city of Providence, she turned 
sorrowfully from the cotton-ridden dough-faces of the East 
Side and visited the suburban regions of the Seventh Ward, 
where she found a circle of congenial spirits, among whom 
she raised a spirit which no mortal power could have evoked, 
and which the devil himself cannot lay. 



31 



Thus has been collected together a body of men, to whom 
I am bold to say the history of the past can furnish no par- 
allel, and I may be permitted to doubt whether in the long 
and interminable vista of coming time we shall ever be per- 
mitted to look upon the like again. 

But I must take leave of you now to prepare for the great 
effort which I intend to make upon taking the chair to-mor- 
row. Go then, fellow members, — 

To each and all a fair good night, 

And pleasing dreams and slumbers light. 

\ 

I shall follow you to your rooms, and over the virtuous 
couch of each of you the spirit of your chosen speaker will 
hover and repeat the words of Virgil : 

" Hush, my babe, lie still and slumber." 

Majestic Johnson, free and accepted brother, farewell, 
and may the consciousness of duty performed console you 
in some degree for the repose and enjoyment which you have 
so often and always so reluctantly abandoned at the call of 
the citizens of the Fourth Ward. 

Saunders retire, and emulate if you do not surpass the 
fame of Hamilton in the profound and difficult science of 
finance. 

Howard, good-bye. Made virtute puer, and take care of 
your health. Good men are scarce. Serum in coelum redeas* 



32 

For in the great cause without thee, I may truly say, sine 
qua non. 

But I am reminded that in the words of the poet — 

"We are not all here ! " 

Let us not forget in tliis parting hour the character of our 
origin. In the free hmguage of Shakespeare let us remem- 
ber the pit wlicnce we were digged. 

To those of our brethren who have not yet attained to the 
honors Avliich we enjoy, let us pay a tribute of affectionate 
regard. I need not name them 

For a common man 'tis praise enough ; 



That Sanford's language is his mother tongue, 
And Barstovv's name compatriot with his own. 

Here a gentleman whose name our reporter did not 
catch, but w^io w^as understood to be an old Whig, 
addressed the convention as follows. We should 
infer that he was not entirely satisfied with the pro- 
ceedings — but our readers Avill judge. 

Mr. Cliainnan — I feel it to be my duty to leave this 
Convention, and I wish to say a few words in explanation 
of my conduct. I do not expect to rival tlie eloquence with 
which we have been entertained this evening, but I think I 
shall make myself understood. I am well aware that every 
man who undertakes to act with others in a common cause. 



33 

I must make many allowances for differences of opinion, and 
I be ready to extend that charity to others which he will be 
obliged to ask for himself. But there is a point at which 
this kind of forbearance ceases to be a virtue. Such a point 
this Convention has in my opinion now reached, and proper 
respect for my constituents and myself forbids me any longer 
/to occupy a seat here. Let me, Mr. Chairman and gentle- 
,men, retrace briefly the steps by which you have ascended 
I to the position which you now occupy, not with any vain 
) hope of your improvement, but for the purpose, if possible, 
r of awakening a generous shame in the constituencies which 
^you here misrepresent and disgrace, to the end that your 
iplaces may hereafter be filled with more worthy men. 
' I was once a member of the Whig party. The party, 
^ though not often in power in the general government, yet 
'^ vas so respectable and so much respected, that even in a 
^ ninority it was always able to exercise a controlling influ- 
f mce upon public affairs. In this State, for many years, it 
as the dominant party, and now that heats are over, no 
an will deny that under its control the State was well 
overned. 
But, sir, in an evil hour for the cause of good sense, good 
anners, and good morals, a set of men in that party under- 
took to get the control of it, who had none of the qualities 
ivhich deserve the regard and respect of the community, 
pnder the pretence of regard for freedom, temperance, and 

V 



34 



I know not wliut other moral cause, they set on foot a sys- 
tem of public whhiing, preaching and praying, and private 
intrigue, lying and slander, which was finally successful in 
corrupting the party to which they belonged — in one word, 
they succeeded in recovering tlie position of that party and 
settinjT: it in motion tail foremost. 

An attempt was made to remedy matters by forming a | 
new organization, and for a time it seemed that it might be , 
successful, but the same set of men wdio have disturbed, dis- j 
graced, and finally destroyed the old Wliig party, again 
made their appearance, and in a condition seven times worse 
than before. Again they began to clamor in public for 
temperance, freedom and morality — again they set in' 
motion privately the old machinery of intrigue, lying and 
slander. Behold tlie result in the body which I am now 
reluctantly compelled for a few moments to address. I shall 
now relieve myself of all responsibility for your conduct, and 
I here give notice to the public of the city of Providence, 
whom I in part represent, and to the people of the State at 
large, that unless they do at the earliest opportunity, send 
the great majority of you into private life, they will attach 
to themselves the disgrace which is now your private prop- 
erty. 

I 

The following letter, picked up after the adjourn- 
ment of the caucus, near the seat of the Plon. Pres 



35 



. ton Bennet by the enterprising Fairbanks, would 
seem to indicate that one eminent rat was about 



J 



leaving a falling house : 






"Vestry of the High Street Church. 
Dear Brother : — I avail myself of the few moments of 
leisure which I am able to spare from more important affairs 
to confer with you about the things of this passing world. 
You are well aware that I have nothing but a common school 
education, and that I owe all my success in life under Divine 
Providence, to my own exertion. I have often reflected 

jupon what I might have been with the advantage of a 
thorough education, such as I have heard can be obtained 

^pnder those eminent instructors, the Jesuits. But I do not 
bomplain. I have done what I could. Dear brother, we 

^are, politically speaking, in a very bad way. I endeavor to 

^bear this with Christian fortitude and resignation, but I 
should not be unwilling to improve my condition. When 

^ ive first set sail upon the troubled sea of politics, you are 
iware that the banner over us was temperance and freedom. 
[ think we have been found out. The fact is we have been 
:>bliged to work with unworthy instruments. It is quite 
jvident that the people have had enougli of these men, and 
kve must change our associates. I write now to put you on 

lour guard against allowing yourself to be identified in any 

Ivay with the leading men in the present General Assembly. 



36 



It is well probably that under existing circumstances I am 
able to keep out of sight. Dear brother, keep clear of 
Bradley, Ballon, Howard, et id omni genus. They are 
evidently in the condition of an unfortunate church of which 
we read, and they will certainly at no distant day be spewed 
out of the mouth of any decent society. 

Yours, A. C. B." 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



{Mil. I III I I III I 
014 111 297 1 




